2020 SRI SRI SHANKAR: GLOBAL INITIATIVES IN REVIEW

SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR GLOBAL INITIATIVES 2020

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is a renowned spiritual leader and global humanitarian whose mission of uniting the world into a violence-free, stress-free, global family has inspired millions of people to broaden their share of responsibility and serve society.

Sri Sri has devised practical tools and techniques that help individuals achieve calmness of mind and clarity of thought. Such a state of mind empowers individuals to achieve their goals and instills a sense of service and greater connectedness with humanity.

In 1981, Sri Sri established The Art of Living Foundation, an educational organization with a presence in over 156 countries. The Foundation’s individual development programs offer powerful tools to eliminate stress and foster a sense of well-being.

In 1997, Sri Sri founded the International Association for Human Values (IAHV), a humanitarian organization, which promotes societal responsibility and human values in political, economic and social spheres.

IAHV and The Art of Living Foundation collaborate on several humanitarian initiatives, including conflict resolution, disaster and trauma relief, environmental conservation, anti‑corruption, prisoner rehabilitation, youth leadership, women’s empowerment and universal education. Both organizations enjoy special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations.

SRISRIRAVISHANKAR.ORG i SRISRIRAVISHANKAR SRISRI SRISRI 2020 SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR: GLOBAL INITIATIVES IN REVIEW

2020 IN REVIEW

There are those who are stuck in time, there are those who flow with time, and there are those who change the time, and there are yet others who surpass the time, go beyond the time and realize that the whole universe is nothing but One Eternal Life.

Ushering into 2019 with a special message from Gurudev

Service in a pandemic year online and offline with on-ground relief work, Boone, USA, Jan. 1 daily online meditations, and heartfelt and insightful interactions with people from diverse For the last 40 years, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar sections of society. The interactions showed has been traveling, sharing his insights on world ways to face the pandemic and its aftermath, and problems, and taking the message of strengthening brought out insights that can shape policies and the individual with inner peace across the globe. guiding principles of leaders across the world.

This year of restricted movement, uncertainty, and anxiety saw Gurudev reaching out to millions

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Covid-19 relief work

Recognizing the most vulnerable population during the coronavirus lockdown, the daily wage earners and migrant laborers, Gurudev launched the campaign ‘iStandwithhumanity’ on March 25, just a few days after the announcement of the lockdown.

In , there are an estimated 121 million daily wage laborers, according to an International Labour Organization (ILO) study. This is the category of people most affected by the lockdown - without food, shelter, or the means to make a living. The iStandwithhumanity campaign reached out to daily wage workers with relief material that could help them sustain themselves during the lockdown period. The Indian film and TV fraternity also joined the initiative in huge numbers. The campaign reached 75,122,069 meals and other essentials to over 2.5 million families in India.

430,200 JAMMU & KASHMIR “I call upon those who can, to take 372,857 HIMACHAL PRADESH 2,070,500 304,857

PUNJAB a pay cut and form endowments UTTARAKHAND 434,686 28,41,000 44,600 HARYANA 1,000 ARUNACHAL 1,644,300 PRADESH 1,284,300 NEW DELHI together to take care of daily wage 191,300 SIKKIM UTTAR PRADESH RAJASTHAN ASSAM NAGALAND 14,641,000 BIHAR MEGHALAYA 122,000 workers & low income groups in your MANIPUR TRIPURA JHARKHAND GUJARAT MIZORAM MADHYA WEST 87,208 550,000 PRADESH BENGAL areas so that the economic burden is CHHATTISGARH 101,550 3,752,440 36,148,000 ODISHA shared by society locally. Let's give MAHARASHTRA 138,770 TELANGANA the assurance that there is enough 126,000 1,236,440 GOA ANDHRA 724,500 PRADESH humanity to take care of everyone.” 6,202,186 KARNATAKA 356,075

TAMIL 770,000 NADU 546,300 KERALA

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Our story of worldwide • Distributed 25,000 PPE to healthcare workers in New York City and also Covid-19 relief in numbers helped people in financial distress Africa • Raised funds to provide food and supplies • Over 25,000* people benefited to the daily wage earners in India • South Africa - Over 3,000* people reached • Conducted daily breathing and meditation sessions, multiple times a day, in English and • Kenya - Distribution of supplies to Spanish for the public including school children 200 underprivileged families and educators, to deal with stress and anxiety • Uganda - 300,000 Uganda Shillings donated for food with free regular online meditations India • Provided 75,122,069 meals & other Germany essentials to over 2.5 million families • Over 5,000* people benefited • Conducted online Art of Living programs weekly. Over 100 million impressions since Mauritius launch for Sri Sri’s daily live meditation • Over 300 food packets distributed • Upgraded 7 government hospitals for COVID-19. • 500 families provided groceries for 12 days Pune(3), Odisha(1), Bangalore(1) & Hyderabad(1) • Donated 9,000 cloth masks to TMC*1 Latin America 2 • Over 10,000* people benefited • Donated 7 swab booths to PMC* • 115 people in the first online trauma relief program • Distributed 50,000 PPE kits & N95 masks to health workers • Paraguay - Over 3,000* people • Provided weekly ration & marketing support for 3,00,000 tribal artisans through TRIFED*3 Malaysia • Over 6,000* people benefited

Nepal • Food supplied to over 8,000 families

Australia * estimated number (as of April 15, 2020) of people • Over 1,000* people benefited benefiting from various online sessions of yoga, meditation, and other Art of Living and IAHV initiatives.

United States of America *1 Thane Municipal Corporation, Maharashtra, India • Partnered with Children’s National Hospital to provide free workshops for *2 Pune Municipal Corporation, Maharashtra, India all United States healthcare workers *3 The Tribal Cooperative Marketing

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Development Federation of India breath in these online workshops. Covid-19 patients also found mental relief with these workshops. On-ground volunteers share heartwarming experiences People share experiences of meditations with Gurudev “With a curfew pass, we’ve been providing a 10-day ration to slums in Chandigarh and “I have looked forward to these meditations Mohali. Many are migrant workers stuck every day especially because the lockdown here. More than food, they need assurance time was very frustrating for me as I was that somebody has their back and we are cooking, cleaning, and working at home - alone. assuring them that.” - Akash, Chandigarh The meditations gave me a lot of peace.” - “Of course, the situation is charged with Vanditaa Kothari, Content Writer, India anxiety and concern. But I remember, once we were distributing food parcels Wisdom during the lockdown: in one area and those families blessed A 20-episode series titled us so much. It is heartening to see that #OpenUpInLockdown humanity prevails, and we will conquer the crisis.” - Anshul Bhatia, Kanpur

Bringing mental relief to masses Masses experience the power of breath

Gurudev conducted daily online meditations during the India lockdown, bringing together millions from across the world to meditate. He conducted Gurudev shared inspiration and wisdom in 20 meditations twice a day for the first 60 days of the episodes in a series titled #OpenUpInLockdown. lockdown. He also led unique meditations every With his hallmark sincerity and humor, Gurudev day for 21 days as a part of the 21-day meditation touched a variety of topics including anger challenge, an initiative to encourage people from management, fatigue, uncertainty, spirituality, and across the world to embrace meditation. overcoming negative habits in this series. Gurudev also imparted special wisdom for people struggling The Art of Living also re-packaged its leading with the effects of the lockdown. program, the Happiness Program into an online consumable format: the Online Breath & Meditation Workshop. Millions experienced the power of the

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Outreach during the pandemic

Africa meditates • Dr. Adriane Marais, South African theoretical physicist, technologist

• Juliet Nambi Namuddu, Director, Education & Social Services, Kampala Capital City Authority

• Paddy Upton, Head Coach, professional T20 cricket

• Prof. Salim S Abdul Karim, epidemiologist iMeditate Africa is an annual campaign held during the month of May which is also known as the Africa • Prof. Adam Habib, Vice Chancellor, month. It is a month dedicated to commemorating University of Witwatersrand the founding of the organization of the African unity. • Kumi Naidoo, South African Human The annual campaign organized by The Art of Living Rights & Environmental activist is dedicated to promote peace and prosperity in the continent through meditation and dialogue. The • Manhar Mooney, businessman, Botswana center of the campaign is a guided online meditation by Gurudev, which millions across the continent and • Prof. Fred McBagonluri, President & globe participate in every year. This year, 1.5 million Provost, Academic City College, Ghana meditators from 23 countries from the continent • Simon Kaheru, former Director & Chairperson, joined in. The continent’s thought leaders from diverse backgrounds engaged in dialogue with Uganda Broadcasting Corp., Uganda

Gurudev, searching for ways to build Africa after • Mary Khaemba, Director, Rehabilitation Covid-19: & Welfare, Kenya Prisons • Hon. Leela Devi Dookun, Member of • Pearl Thusi, actress, TV, radio Parliament, Minister of Education, Mauritius personality, South Africa • Dr. Ignatius Sehoole, Chief Executive • Marlene Le-Roux, co-founder, Women’s Officer, KPMG South Africa Achievement Network for Disability, South Africa • Prof. David Norris, Vice Chancellor, • Amb. Rudo M Chitiga, senior diplomat University of Botswana & development expert, Zimbabwe

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Prof. David Norris: There are many documented they have seen previous generations unhappy, they benefits of yoga including the cultivation of have realized that they don’t want to live like this. self-awareness and well-being. How can yoga be practiced to address the paucity of leadership in Medical fraternity society, governments, and many such conditions? Gurudev: Leaders have tremendous pressure. They have to cater to the needs of the followers whom they are leading. Leaders have a huge demand on their time and attention. They need to have deep insight and understanding of a situation. Yet, our perception gets blurred and our intuition dies when we are stressed. For leaders to innovate or guide or to envision something, they must be calm. Meditation makes us calm and enhances our intuitive ability. It gives us courage when we need it the most.

Paddy Upton: Some leaders have led their people successfully out of these difficult times. What key things do successful leaders of organizations and countries have? Gurudev: I would say that they are people who are committed to their work and put their heart and soul in it. The success is in the attitude rather than the result itself. Very early on in the lockdown, Gurudev acknowledged the services of the entire medical Kumi Naidoo: Can meditation help fraternity, and urged them to take care of themselves. us solve one of the worst problems of He offered the services of the entire 30,000 Art of humanity which is overconsumption? Living teaching workforce, making them available to Gurudev: When we are not sensitive towards the help with dealing with stress; and to renew the needs of others and we don’t listen to nature, our enthusiasm and zeal of the healthcare workers for the planet is not in safe hands. 30 years ago, nobody efforts these essential service providers were taking on. cared about the planet. They thought that this was Gurudev interacted with more than 200,000 outdated thinking. Luckily, there is a lot of awareness healthcare professionals and 80,000 pharmacists now. Also, the current generation is different from during the lockdown and launched a special online the previous generations. I see that they are interested breath and meditation workshop for in minimalism. They just want happiness. Since healthcare professionals.

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Online Meditation & Breath meditation. Using breath and meditation, we can Workshop for frontline workers strengthen our body and immune system. At this time, I want to assure you that we are there with you. Anything you need, The Art of Living fraternity as well as the country is there for you.” - Gurudev

Interactions with

• American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin

On May 13, The Art of Living launched the Online • England Indian Physician Association Meditation & Breath Workshop for frontline workers. With the Sudarshan Kriya at the center, the workshop • Global Physicians of Indian Origin has been designed to equip frontline workers with • Australian Indian Doctors Association inner strength and the ability to fight the emotional stress while fighting Covid-19. As the first program • Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecological began in ESIC Medical College in Hyderabad, Kishan Societies of India (FOGSI) Reddy, the honorable Minister of Home Affairs, Government of India, inaugurated the launch. • Indian Healthcare professionals

Kishan Reddy, Minister of Home Affairs, • Department of Pharmaceuticals, Govt. of India Government of India, encouraged the initiative, • All India Ophthalmological Society “The rishis emphasised the significance of moral and spiritual aspects of healing. The • Secretary General, Red Cross & mind is an integral element in healing according Red Crescent Society to Ayurveda. I am sure this workshop will be immensely helpful to participants.” Question from a medical professional: “This disease is a three-month disease. We know “This is the time to stand shoulder to shoulder nothing about its treatment. How do we keep with frontline workers - the doctors, paramedics, calm during this situation when people around essential supply workers, and policemen. On me are dying? If we are so stressed, how can this occasion, I would like to acknowledge their we make people around us comfortable?” commendable spirit of service and sacrifice. It is a Gurudev: You are in a war zone. There is no time tough time for doctors and we must help calm their to be anxious. In a war, you give your 100 percent anxieties. We need to make ourselves strong and and leave the rest to God. This faith can help us. our minds stable. We must find inner strength with Do Ujjayi breathing. Take long, deep breaths.

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Our mind has the ability to attend to breath and spectrum, providing hope and encouragement during control our adrenaline production. This is the time a time of uncertainty and disruption. Gurudev when we can only give maximum comfort to the prioritized and underlined the importance of patient and minimize the spread of the disease. education in the world today, giving teachers and There are other diseases also which do not have heads of institutions the moral fortitude to continue a cure. We somehow manage to deal with it by inspiring their students. Interactions included sessions boosting our immunity. We can sit and brainstorm with 100 Vice Chancellors of Indian Universities, 60 and send a message to the medical fraternity. We Directors of Indian technical universities, 31 NIT should do all within our capacity to remove fear. Directors, CBSE board teachers, student panelists at IIT Guwahati, IIT Delhi, Directors of NIFT GV Prasad, MD & Co-Chairman, Dr. Reddy’s: (National Institute of Fashion Technology) and Doctors, nurses, and scientists are under enormous directors of notable coaching institutes of India. pressure to fight this battle. I would like to request you to give a message on how to be calm and strong in this situation and be able to effectively cope with it. Gurudev: If we look back at history, we’ll see that there were similar rapidly spreading diseases on a smaller scale. There was a time when leprosy patients were isolated. 50-60 years ago, people were scared of tuberculosis. We’ve all overcome these situations. So, we must know that we will get over this. Now, the second point is that we have not been taught to manage emotions - be it the anxiety “Real education is building strong and of the pandemic or other negative emotions. Yet, pleasant personalities. We hardly find there is a way to manage our emotions through the any education that is giving that kind of breath since every emotion has a definite breathing attention. There was a time when parents pattern. We cannot directly manage our minds, gave a lot of attention, but today teachers but with the breath we can. The breath can help us have to work extra hard. There is a paucity find inner strength during these testing times. The of education in emotional intelligence and Sudarshan Kriya breathing technique can help. spiritual values for students. Spiritual experience can uplift a student’s life from Encouraging educators aggression and depression. We need to and students teach students during this time to deal with all kinds of anxieties: be it Covid Gurudev spoke to young students, teachers, anxiety or job anxiety. Meditation can professors, deans, and educationists across the make a huge difference.” - Gurudev

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• Dorien Zevenbergen, Dutch • Prof. Rajesh Shenoy, Dean, Allied Inspectorate of Education Health Sciences, RGUHS

• Claire Boonstra, Founder, Operation Education • Prof. TG Sitharam, Director, IIT Guwahati

• Rolf Winter, Leadership coach & consultant • Emma Seppala, Science Director of the Improving mental well- Stanford Center for Compassion & being of students Altruism Research & Education

• James Doty, clinical professor of neurosurgery and director of Center for Compassion & Altruism Research & Education

• Bernadette Melnyk, Chief Wellness Officer, Ohio State University

• Dr. X Ben Wu, Professor & Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs

• Dr. Varun Soni, Dean of Religious Life at University of Southern California

• Dara Ghahremani, Associate Research Professor, Psychiatry & Biobehavioral sciences.

• CBSE board teachers and students

• Dr. Ashok Chauhan, Chief Patron, Amity University

• Dr. Atul Chauhan, Chief Patron, Amity University

• Dr. S Sacchidanand, Vice Chancellor, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS)

• Dr. CN Manjunath, senior cardiologist, Director of Sri Jayadeva Institute of SELP (Student Excellence & Learning Program) is an Cardiovascular Sciences & Research empowerment program created by The Art of Living and sponsored by the World Bank. SELP has helped • Dr. BN Gangadhar, Director & VC, NIMHANS improve the quality of life of thousands of students

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in technical universities of India. Psychometric Emma Seppala, Science Director of the studies on 60,000 students have revealed that Stanford Center for Compassion & Altruism: the program has had the following results: The mental well-being on US campuses has been declining. All research shows that happiness is • 83 percent elevated energy levels a constant over the entire course of the lives of • 76 percent decrease in stress levels those who live beyond themselves, who pursue altruistic acts coupled with self-compassion and • 78 percent increase in belongingness self-care. Gurudev, you have founded a university which focuses on student mental health care and • 79 percent anxiety drop service. Do you have any opening comments? • 81 percent boost in mental strength Gurudev: When you have to control the smoke, you have to control the fire. If the fire is ignited • 62 percent reduction in fear well, the smoke will disappear. So all feelings are like smoke. It is only a projection of what we are. If we University students in the United States have also try to manipulate smoke, it is not going to work. benefited from The Art of Living’s special SKY You cannot manipulate smoke. You cannot kindle (Sudarshan Kriya Yoga) campus Happiness Program, feelings in yourself just like that. You have to go to which focuses on yogic breathing techniques and the source. The source is the space in you that is free social connectedness for stress management. As from stress. Have your understanding in the right Gurudev interacted with university professors and place. Broaden your perception. If your perception educators, he shared insights on ways to improve is limited and you only think about yourself, you are the mental well-being of university students. bound to feel miserable. But when you are aware of the vastness of the universe and its changing nature, Professor Ghodke, Chief Project Advisor for your feelings change. Change the context to life. NPIU (National Project Implementation Unit) who has implemented SELP in universities: Dr. S Sacchidanand, Vice Chancellor, Rajiv As soon as classes begin, we will roll out the online Gandhi University of Health Sciences version of the SELP program for students. (RGUHS): Our students are volunteering as Covid warriors, we are sending educational material to Lalit Kumar Awasthi, Director, NIT students, conducting regular online classes, and : At NIT, Jalandhar, we have been we have one personality talk to students about having YES Plus courses for 10 years and ways to de-stress every week. Our goal is to ensure thousands of students have done the programs. that students do not get stressed and anxious. The programs have brought improvement in Gurudev, can you share your suggestions? the quality of life, better mental stability, better Gurudev: There are four ways to battle anxiety. focus, and a healthier perspective towards life. One, invoke valor inside you. Look back at your

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life and observe that you have overcome anxiety Claire Boonstra, Founder, Operation in the past as well. When you wanted a seat in Education, Netherlands: In our current systems, the university, you were anxious too but you we optimize efficiency and accountability. We overcame that. Seeing that gives you strength. don't want to go wrong. Our world is complex Have faith in a bigger power. Know that it will and uncertain. How can we organize this and never leave us. Third, look at the people who have justify doing well in our current society? a bigger problem than you. Your cause for anxiety Gurudev: The children in Europe are trained will simply vanish. Fourth, practice meditation, to not make mistakes and be perfect and precise. pranayama, and yoga. Many US universities This is very good and needed. In third world have kept such programs for credit. During this countries we need this all the more. Yet, there is period, students should develop their skills and certain freedom in expression which we find in personality. They can learn different languages too. the countries in the east. They are not so uptight about making mistakes. We can have a very good east-west combination. The West can learn that it is okay to make mistakes. That confidence in students might turn them into more open personalities.

Re-inventing education Insights that can guide towards education policies for the new future.

Dorien Zevenbergen, Dutch Inspectorate Shrinivasa Varakhedi, Vice Chancellor, of Education: What do you think are the most Kalidas University: Sanskrit education is important 21st century skills for students? cornered in our country. How to attract young Gurudev: Children should have adaptability and minds to our ancient shastras? How to bring emotional intelligence. Kids either block their sanskrit shastras in mainstream education? emotions or they are vulnerable - small things Gurudev: In the 80s, we used to focus too much upset them. We need to hone their abilities to be on grammar and focus very less on darshanas and sensitive to others, sensible in their perception, and darshan shastras. We should include some of our see other people’s opinions as well. The spiritual scriptures in our modern day education. For example, wisdom to be centered is an important skill too. Kautilya’s Arthashastras should be included in

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• Ananya Birla, Entrepreneur, Singer economics. Vedic mathematics should be included in Maths. There are the rasa shastras - the study • Frank Elaridi, Journalist, Co- of substances and their qualities. The scripture of founder, Modern Nirvana Spandakarika can be included in Physics. I should • Kat Graham, Actor, Co-founder, Modern Nirvana also mention that out of 58 universities in America • Bryant Wood, Co-founder, Modern Nirvana which teach Indology, only one university is from Indian origin. There is a lot of interest in our • Tabay Atkins, Youngest yoga teacher, USA scriptures, we need to bring the content of our • Anushka Sen, Indian TV actor, scriptures to the notice of the scientific community. Scientist, Social media influencer

• Davi Campolongo, Musical artist Inspiring youth “Many of us are in a phase of wanting to try new things, career avenues and so on. When our minds start jumping from one thing to another, how to find a middle ground and maintain our mental stability?” - Prajakta Koli

“Meditation is very helpful in this scenario. It filters unnecessary distractions and Interacting with youth influencers, Gurudev improves intuition. Regretful incidents encouraged them to have courage and faith during happen when our mind is cluttered. this time. He also shared his solutions to the most Meditation helps to declutter.” - Gurudev prevalent issues faced by youth today. He especially touched upon challenges like frustration and anxiety about an uncertain future post Covid-19. “How to deal with frustration and not knowing what will happen in the future?” He also shared insights on issues most faced - Ananya Birla, Entrepreneur, Singer by youngsters today including the frustration of an uncertain future post Covid-19. “First, we should know that it is a passing • Ranveer Brar, Content creator, phase. This is the time to have patience. YouTube influencer There are many things we can do at home. We can make a concrete plan - what is it • Prajakta Koli, Content creator, that you want to do after Covid-19? The YouTube influencer other thing we must do is to meditate - the • Abhi & Niyu, Content creators, restlessness will calm down.” - Gurudev YouTube influencers

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“Why should youth be interested Business confederations in spirituality?” - Rishabh Jain, The implications for businesses and the workforce Inventor, Researcher, Developer are manifold. In discussions with Business Associations, Gurudev has been addressing the “Spirituality should also be seen with challenges to economic and mental well-being. a scientific temper. God is not someone sitting in heaven trying to punish you. It is space from where everything has come. Honoring life, each other and nature is the original worship of the lord. Spirituality is the science of consciousness. Movies like Inception have found inspiration from ancient scriptures. Dwelling on what is, is Confederation of Indian Industry material science and dwelling on the question, “Who am I?” is spirituality.” - Gurudev

“There is a feeling of separation and anxiety that everyone in the US is going through because of the results of the elections and life in general.” - Frank Elaridi, Journalist, Co-founder, Modern Nirvana Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry

“This battlefield is a temporary phase. Let us • FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers not lose faith in the judicial system. We may of Commerce and Industry) appear to be divided but there is a lot of unity. • PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry The “Black Lives Matter” movement was supported by people of all communities. When • Asian Americans Hotel Association society is divided on political lines, there will • CII, Karnataka (Confederation of Indian Industry) be some disappointment. We must restrain • SCOPE (Standing Conference our emotions and have faith in the democratic of Public Enterprises) process. Let us try to deal with the injustices • ASSOCHAM (Associated Chambers with a calm and collected mind rather than of Commerce and Industry) being driven by emotions.” - Gurudev • NASSCOM (National Association of Software and Service Companies)

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and focus on targets. How can meditation help us bring positivity and optimism?

PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Asian Americans Hotel Association

Gurudev: If the mindset is negative, pursuing great opportunities successfully also becomes difficult. We have overcome a lot of challenges in our own country. This is the time for cooperation

Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry and standing up to the situation. Breathing practices also invoke positivity. Challenge “We must view this crisis as an opportunity people to think creatively. It is not possible for where we innovate and rethink our business corporations to do everything. All of us, spiritual strategies. Fear and anxiety kills people more organizations, NGOs, and the government than the disease. During this time, we must together can bring society in the right direction. invoke valor in the people we are working with. During a war, you invoke valor in “It will take time for people to be able to travel yourself. If we don't invoke valor, we’ll slip without fear. But, the fear won’t last very long. into depression. Invoke self-confidence. I We must be better prepared for rainy days. To go am sure we will overcome this situation.” through these tough times, we must strengthen - Gurudev ourselves with meditation which helps get rid of negative impressions (from the current Anil Kumar Chaudhary, Chairman, SAIL: constant flow of negative news) and improves There is complete pessimism during this situation. intuition, that helps in decision making.” How should leadership behave during this time? Leaders are like teabags. What is inside them Multi industry professionals only comes out when put in difficult situations. Gurudev encouraged multi industry professionals Leaders need positivity, good relationships, to stay resilient during these tough times. He guided

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members of national apex bodies on work-life far as depression is concerned, yoga and meditation balance, inspired the younger generation, and more. can help. Even doctors today who are scared for their own lives have found so much relief after learning Income Tax Appellate Tribunal: 700 stakeholders meditation. We must have a long term plan. This is including judicial members, accountants, not the time to compete but to contribute. Usually government officials, and lawyers in industries, there is competition. If we do that

• All India Federation of Tax Practitioners, an now, everyone will sink. We must cooperate and try association of advocates and chartered accountants to help each other. An era of cooperation will begin. It will happen all over the world, and a stronger • Institute of Cost Accountants of India value-based education will emerge.” - Gurudev • Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

• Institute of Company Secretaries of India

• Institute of Directors, apex national association of Corporate Directors

• All India Management Association, national apex body for the management profession

“After World War 2, Europe, Japan and other countries were in a similar state. When Panelist question from Institute of Corporate we take this situation as a war, we invoke Directors: Is there a way for us to be happier, a race valor in us. Of course we need to work hard. which contributes more and change the way we live?

Gurudev: What can take us through this time is confidence in the self which comes with meditation. If you look at the younger generation, they are not consumerists in nature. They are more focused on values and innovation. They are more compassionate. If we encourage them to be more caring, we will definitely have a more humane generation. Governments will have to work with industries and migrant workers need to be reassured that Panelist question from ICSI: How to all will be well. The fear clogging the population draw a thin line between passion for one’s needs to be dealt with. We need to think that we profession and staying dispassionate? are all starting from scratch. We as a young nation have lots of opportunities for the future. We have Gurudev: “In life, we need three things. Passion, great minds. We have a robust innovative spirit. As compassion and dispassion. If you are not

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compassionate to yourself, it will take a toll on only then will there be love, compassion, and your health. Dispassion is like breathing out a sense of belongingness for the whole planet. and passion is like breathing in. You should be dispassionate and give yourself some time to rest.”

Industry leaders Gurudev encouraged members of diverse industries to look at the current crisis as a war and fight the situation with grit and faith.

• Textile Industry

• Ceramic Industry

• Diamond Industry

• Chemists & druggists

• DRDO (Defence Research & Development Organization)

• Plastic Industry We have a 7 days training program that will not • Travel Agents Association of India only equip them with new skills but will also make them strong from inside; and that in turn will help them work with new motivation and enthusiasm after the pandemic is over. Meanwhile, let us have faith in God and have belief in the strength of our intentions. Meditate or chant - these practices give us inner strength and connect us within.

Textile Industry

“The future is yours. We need to reinfuse trust, enthusiasm, faith in our workforce and the energy to restart again; giving them the dream of a more prosperous india. We need to think of ourselves as soldiers as we rebuild the economy. The world is looking towards India for inner strength. It is This is a war-like situation and in a war, important to awaken the humanity in people’s we don’t get scared. We find courage minds. When they pay attention to human values and help each other.” - Gurudev

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Business leaders and help you find a new direction and inner strength entrepreneurs during these times. To invoke creativity within Speaking to a wide cross section of private and us, we must realize that everything in this world public sector C-suite business leaders, Gurudev encouraged them to innovate and rethink the Punit Dalmia future strategy of their businesses. He also urged India them to collaborate; safeguard the interests of MD, Dalmia Bharat Limited MSME and SME sectors while developing resilience against economic and mental health disruption.

• Sajjan Jindal, CEO & Sangita Jindal, Ajay Piramal India Chairman JSW Group Chairman, Piramal Group • Ajay Piramal, Chairman, Piramal Group

• Punit Dalmia, MD, Dalmia Bharat Limited Motilal Oswal • Motilal Oswal, Chairman & MD, Motilal India Oswal Financial Services Ltd. Chairman and MD, Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd • Ness Wadia, British Indian businessman

• David Frigsatd, Chairman, Frost & Sullivan David Frigstad • YPO, South Asia, a global leadership USA Chairman, Frost and Sullivan community of chief executives

• Indian start-up entrepreneurs • The Indus Entrepreneurs, a Silicon Valley Anant Goenka non-profit supporting start-ups India Executive Director, Indian • Mackay CEO forum, peer group Express Group for CEOs across Canada • The Economic Times Leadership T. V. Mohandas Pai Council, premium platform for India Chairman, Manipal MDs and CEOs of India Inc. Global Education

“At a time when most businesses are hit hard, we is uncertain and take some moments of quietude. must rethink our future strategy. To do that we Creativity arises from quietness and a few minutes must have a calm and peaceful mind. Questions of meditation can revive our spirit to innovate. It like, “What are you running towards?” ‘Who are can also improve our intuitive ability. In addition, you?’, and ‘How can you be useful to others?’ can businesses will have to thrive on trust and the

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• goodness of people around. There is an unseen power which listens to our prayers and this big • & Zanai Bhosle power is very compassionate and loving. With this • Violin maestro Kala Ramnath in mind, we can get over any challenge.” - Gurudev • Veena artist Rajesh Vaidhya

Ajay Piramal: What is seva and • Bharatanatyam artist Shobhana what is the right seva to do? • Drums player Drums Sivamani & Playback singer Runaa Sivamani Gurudev: Seva means acting like him. Doing • Carnatic singer Mohana Kumari things the way the divine does for you without • Daler Mehendi performed verses expecting anything in return. Seva is doing from the Guru Granth Sahib something without any expectations. • Mandolin Maestro U. Rajesh

Dr. Nancy Mackay: What is your • formula for inspired leadership? • Dhrupad artists

Gurudev: I have a simple formula - clarity in • Carnatic musician K.S Chithra mind, purity in heart, and sincerity in action. • Punjabi singer Gurdas Maan

• music composer Salim Merchant Multicultural music • Musicians Bombay Jayshree & Vijay Prakash Gurudev interacted with artists and musicians bringing healing, happiness and fun during • Wadali brothers, Sri Puran Chand the lockdown. Gurudev encouraged them to Wadali & Lakhwinder Wadali heal the society through their art, and share • Pandit Sopori & Rustom Sopori lesser known insights into classical music and dance. Each instrument and sound has a particular impact on the nervous system, brain and consciousness. This science was practically experienced by millions, as soothing musical Gurdas Maan performances were also weaved into Gurudev's guided meditations, bringing healing and solace.

Millions meditated to the musical pieces presented by some of the artists during Drums Sivamani & Runaa Sivamani Gurudev’s online meditations. Padma Shri awardee Drums Sivamani performed with home utensils, clay pots, and dinner

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plates, encouraging the audience to create encourage everyone to engage in music. It keeps rhythm at home during the lockdown. them out of stress and connects people.”

“Music and meditation go together. Words stretched is music and mind stretched is meditation.”

“My mother used to play the Veena for two hours Kala Ramnath daily, even before I was born. During my college days, when my principal told me that there was not even a single entry for classical music from our college, I took it up as a challenge and learned a piece on the Veena and played it in the semi- finals and finals. I came home with a big cup. Mika Singh My principal was very proud. Later on, I started practicing and learning from a teacher.”

“The universe is filled with dance. When you sit for meditation, your soul dances from inside. The universe is a play of consciousness K.S Chithra where everything has a certain rhythm.”

“Sage Bharath was a great dancer. He wrote scriptures on dance. The knowledge of the dance form Bharatnatyam comes from him. Bharatnatyam is full of sign language. It takes you beyond language U. Rajesh and connects you with feelings behind the dance piece. The specialty of ancient dance forms lies in the combination of feeling and meaning.”

Sports fraternity At a time when sportspersons cannot go out and Shobhana train, Gurudev raised the morale of the sports “A child first sings with aaa and then language fraternity. As the body and mind both contribute comes. When we are caught up in thinking, to the performance of a sportsperson, Gurudev's we forget music. When music is in our lives, insights on how to improve performance and it uplifts us and unites people. We should mental fortitude were significant and powerful.

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• Sakshi Malik, Indian freestyle wrestler, • Jean Pascal, Canadian professional boxer

Olympic bronze medalist • Scott Davis, American former competitive figure skater

• Shyamal Vallabhjee, South African sports scientist, performance coach, and TEDx speaker

• Inge Andersen, Norwegian sports and coach official

• Christoph Daum, German professional football manager

• Tom Farrey, Director of Aspen Institute • Yogeshwar Dutt, Indian freestyle of Sports & Society Program wrestler, Olympic bronze medalist • Heinz Gunthardt, retired Swiss Tennis player • Sanjeev Rajput, Arjuna awardee Indian shooter • Anja Hammerseng Edin, former • Yuvraj Singh, Indian cricketer Norwegian Handball player

• Pullela Gopichand, Chief National Coach • Peter Marti, former Swiss football player of the Indian Badminton Team • Sarah Lewis, General Secretary of • Bruny Surin, Canadian track and field International Ski Federation athlete, Olympic gold medalist • Pankaj Advani, India Billiards • Georges Laraque, Canadian sports player, World Champion commentator and former ice hockey player

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• Vijender Singh, Indian professional pleasure when wars are won and there is sadness boxer, Olympic Bronze medalist when they are lost. However, sports should be enjoyed from the very moment the event starts. That is what sports is all about.” - Gurudev

Re-imagining sports during covid Don’t lose your sportive spirit even if you cannot go out and play. Go inwards, meditate Sakshi Malik: Sometimes while playing, things and ward off the tendency to get either don’t go in favor and negative thoughts arise. That depressed or aggressive. - Gurudev deviates me from the target. What to do at that time?

Bruny Surin: The covid crisis has been Gurudev: In play, sometimes there is victory going on for two months. What would be and sometimes there is loss. Take it as a part the best way to deal with it? It is hard to tell of life and treat it like that. We must stay people to even smile during this time. steadfast and not get disappointed.

Gurudev: Sitting and crying will not help either. We Anja Hammerseng Edin: I realized that players all must find inner strength and solace. The calmness equate their worth to what they achieve. I used to feel inside will help. This is the time when we need to like no achievement was ever enough to feel good and keep the hope alive. We need to keep our sportive peaceful. I thought about how to feel good without spirit. We must assure everyone that all will be well. the external stimuli of achievements. So, I learnt to meditate. It helped realize I don’t need gold medals to Re-defining sports achieve peace. I can feel good and still enjoy the game. “Today, wars are fought like sports and sport is played like war. This is unfortunate. That is why Gurudev: Meditation can improve a sportsperson's sportspersons feel pressured to take performance performance by raising their energy levels and enhancing drugs. Sportiveness is at times missing. In providing deep rest. It also helps them stay sport, joy is not just in winning at the end. Joy is in enthusiastic. We lose energy when we think about the very process itself. There should be celebration the past or worry about the future. Meditation from the moment players enter the field. There is keeps us in the present and saves our energy.

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Wisdom insights for the 21st century player

Shyamal Vallabhjee: I train sportsmen to get out of their comfort zone. How to push ourselves out of our spiritual comfort zone? How to find balance in life?

Gurudev: When we embrace uncertainty in life, then nothing shakes you. Spirituality makes the whole Jean Pascal: How can I find my true universe your comfort zone. When your comfort zone path after my boxing career? extends to infinity, then you are in the spiritual center.

Gurudev: You can reach out to young people who Shyamal Vallabhjee: There is an element of are into drugs and other harmful activities. They doubt in the CEOs and athletes I work with. are struggling with aggression and depression. If What should our relationship with doubts be as a boxer has sadness, he cannot box well. We need we aspire to become better versions of ourselves? to help youth come out of both these tendencies. Youth need inner peace. If a person feels insecure or Gurudev: We need to understand the nature of angry, that is what they share with the world. Let us doubts. We always doubt the positive. We doubt imagine a world free from stress and violence. We the love and honesty of someone. Not their hatred. can help youth grappling with these challenges. We doubt our happiness. Not our depression. Just the fact that you doubting something of a P Gopichand: Sometimes when you have higher pedestal indicates that it is positive. negative emotions, you use high knowledge and that emotion’s potency reduces. How Inspiring players to reach out do we stop them in the first place? Our youth should take inspiration from you. I would want youth to take training from you Gurudev: The more we try to control negative all, the sports champions of our country. If thoughts, it will be counter-productive. given the right direction, youth can really come We should take it as a part of life. out as champions in the future. - Gurudev

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Yogeshwar Dutt: Sudarshan Kriya has He interacts with the film fraternity in India benefited me a lot. In 2014, I also took in a series called heart to heart. Film stars inspiration from you, Gurudev to build a sports speak from their heart about their own lives, academy. Today, 150 children and youth are their quests and their everyday questions.

working hard to bring pride to the nation. • Karan Johar, Film Director Heart-to-heart: Conversations • Rajkumar Hirani, Film Director with the Indian film fraternity • Sonakshi Sinha, Actor Gurudev’s conversations with artists have been • Kapil Sharma, Stand-up Comedian, TV Anchor helping people connect and heal in a very special way. • Ekta Kapoor, Director & Producer • Sanjay Dutt, Actor • Anand L Rai, Film Director • , Indian Rapper & Artist • Sonu Sood, Actor • Varun Sharma, Actor • Madhur Bandharkar, Film Director • Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, Filmmaker & Writer • Dinesh Vijan, Film Producer • , Actor • Monali Thakur, Actor & Singer • Shaan Mukherjee, Singer • , Actor, Politician & Artist • Isha Deol, Actor • Dr. Shiva Rajkumar, Actor & Producer • Nitish Bharadwaj, TV, Film Director & Actor, Marathi film fraternity • , Actor • Krishna Bharadwaj & Pankaj Berry, Tenali Rama & Tathacharya

Karan Johar: What is the difference between spirituality and organized religion?

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Gurudev: Spirituality unites people; it is about the Gurudev: Hug all your good and bad thoughts spirit. We are made up of both matter and spirit. and the mind will become more peaceful. Every Our body is made up of amino acids, protein, incident has two sides - positive and negative. carbohydrates but our spirit is made up of joy and The pandemic has forced us to pause and enthusiasm, compassion, love, character, confidence introspect. We are now asking the important - all these. Anything that enhances the spirit is question - what do we want from our lives? spirituality. Anything that gives you more love, joy, a sense of compassion. Usually, I say religion is the Sanjay Dutt: Gurudev, what would you like banana skin and spirituality is the banana within. to say to the youth about the drug menace? So when people throw away the banana and hold on to the skin – that is when we get conflicts. Gurudev: To overcome addiction, we need a bigger addiction. I would encourage youth to walk with Lara Dutta: How to a bigger vision and pledge to work for nation- stimulate creativity? building. The joy of an altered mind from drug use can be derived from meditation. I understand that Gurudev: First of all, quitting drugs is difficult. However, if you show don’t get too much willingness, we can help you get off drugs with ease. hung on creativity. So the feverishness of ‘I want to be’ will be the main block. When you meditate and just sit in a quiet corner of your room, you will get many creative ideas.

Sonakshi Sinha: How to deal with depression? Shaan Mukherjee: Does karma move to re- birth or in this life itself does it get finished? Gurudev: Think of how you can contribute Gurudev: Both. Some karma stays and some karma to the happiness of gets finished. For example, we don’t remember what others. When we keep we had for breakfast last week. Yet, we remember thinking about ourselves, there is a high chance a derogatory remark told to us ten years ago. that we break down. Also, when we go out and reach out to others, the kindness and connection Monali Thakur: What is The Art of Living? with people can take you out of depression. Gurudev: The Art of Living is to keep an undying Kapil Sharma: How to overcome negative thoughts? smile and to blossom to your fullest potential.

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Thought leaders • Alexandra Kissling, Co-founder, Vital Voices, Costa Rica Sharing insights on a range of areas including wellness during Covid times, happiness, society, • Jagan Chapagain, Secretary-General, International and meditation. Gurudev also held special Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent panel discussions, discussing ways to bring down instances of domestic violence during lockdown, to prevent suicides, and battle the current and post covid-19 scenario.

• Luke Coutinho, Wellness Coach

• Bela Gill, Chef & Nutritionist

• Mohandas Pai, Padma Shree Awardee; Chairman, Manipal University

• Ismael Cala, Journalist from Cuba

• Shekhar Mehta, President, Rotary International

• Luis Novaresio, Journalist, Argentina

• Dr. Subramaniam Swamy, Member of Parliament, India

• Claudia Lopez Hernandez, Mayor, Bogota, Colombia

• Anant Goenka, Executive Director, Indian Express Group

• Indira Jaising, Legal Human Rights Activist

• Suhel Seth, TV Pundit & Columnist

• Juliana Paes, Film & TV artist, Brazil

• Prof. Pat Utomi, Management Expert & Professor of Political Economy Bela Gill, Chef & Nutritionist: What kind of • Apeksha Haldia, Founder, Zayka ka Tadka food should we eat and avoid during the pandemic? • Luis Javier, Founding Partner & President, Mesoamerica Investments, Gurudev: Avoid white sugar as it reduces a Latin American PE firm immunity, take turmeric and black pepper, eat easily digestible food as all of us have reduced our • Fabricio, CEO, Coca Cola, Mexico physical movement during the pandemic.”

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Juliana Paes, TV & you become calmer, more creative and spontaneous. Film Actor: How to The role of service is to be useful to others. Service overcome insecurities? is where our existence means something to those around us. Service is sharing joy. Contributing Gurudev: Wake up to others’ lives gives immense satisfaction. to the reality that the world is temporary. Seeing the world from a broad perspective helps one overcome insecurities.

Luis Novaresio, Journalist, Argentina: How can people who are not used to meditation, meditate? How can meditation help battle fear during these COVID times?” Jagan Chapagain, Secretary-General, International Federation of Red Cross & Red Gurudev: People watch television, read books or play Crescent: There cannot be an individual response, games when at home. We should do all that but when individual country response. There have to be strong you are tired, sit on a chair, close your eyes, and follow global and multilateral efforts, bringing everybody’s a guided meditation. You can meditate just before resources and energy together. If we do that, we your meal. Millions are meditating around the world. will be successful. If we don’t do that, we might be losing many more lives before learning lessons. Fear is an imbalance in the adrenal gland. Breathing techniques control your endocrine Gurudev: Mental health is very vital for those system. Also these techniques activate the affected as well as volunteers. It is inner strength vagus nerve which makes you feel calmer and that can help us cope with situations clearer. That is why meditation is important. Fighting domestic violence Luis Javier, President, Mesoamerica Investments: during lockdown Why is the understanding that you do not control • Smriti Irani, Minister, Union Cabinet of India anything so powerful? What is the role of service? • Katherine Clark, United States representative

• Fabiana Tunez, ex-executive Director, National Gurudev: When we try to control, we realize that, Institute of Women Defender of Human Rights in reality, we cannot control many things. This of Women and Children from Argentina makes us uncomfortable. But when you accept it,

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• Angela Ofori Atta, Head of the Department “If every living being has a purpose in life, then of Psychiatry at the University of Ghana how do they find it?” - Luis Gallardo, Founder • Romila Sen, Board Member, IAHV & President, World Happiness Festival

“If you see, the purpose of decorating our house is to appreciate it and feel happy. There is beauty in creation to make you feel happy. The purpose of life is to live it fully. It does not matter what you do. What matters is if you feel full and happy doing whatever is that you are doing. Our actions are in the pursuit of happiness, yet happiness is in our very being.” - Gurudev “The root cause of aggression is stress. People in stress are not even able to communicate properly. Fighting suicides and depression: What we can do is to encourage non-violent World Suicide Prevention Day communication, and ensure that people have a balanced mind. Meditation helps find inner peace and a person with inner peace is able to communicate better, see other’s point of view.” - Gurudev

Decoding secrets of happiness with panelists of the World Happiness Festival • Dr. Sudhir Khandelwal, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist

• Prof. Ronnie Newman, Director of Research & Health Promotion, The Art of Living

• Dr. Sangeeta Mahajan, Anaesthesiologist, St. Thomas Hospital, London

• Luis Gallardo, Founder & President, • Dr. Rakesh Chadda, Chief, National Drug World Happiness Festival Dependence Treatment Center, AIIMS

• Teresa Viejo, Spanish Journalist & Writer • Dr. Laurie Hassel, Director, Crisis and Short term Intervention at the Canadian Mental • Rajagopal Raghunathan, Professor of Health Association in Ontario, Canada Business at McCombs School of Business

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• Dr. Akshya Vasudev, Associate Professor • Tim Ryan, Congress Member, USA

of Psychiatry & Neurosciences, Western • Dr. Geetha Krishnan Gopalakrishna University, Ontario, Canada Pillai, Technical Officer, Traditional • Dr. Ramanan Laxminarayan, Founder & Director Complementary and Integrative Medicine of the Centre for Disease Dynamics, Economics Unit, World Health Organization

and Policies, New Delhi & Washington • Dr. Sanjay Pradhan, former Vice “How can we create a society that has President, World Bank empathy for people living with mental • HE Mohamed Moncef Marzouki, difficulties and with their families and not Former President of Tunisia stigmatise them?” - Dr. Sangeeta Mahajan • Lojze Peterle, Former Prime Minister of Slovenia

“We need to assure our young generation to them • Jo Leinen, Former Member of –they are not alone. There is enough humaneness in the European Parliament society. Everybody is there for them. This assurance • Heinz Günthardt, Coach of the is not just for young people but in fact even for Swiss Fed Cup Team housewives. During this pandemic, we need to • Erik Solheim, Former Head, UNEP share this message across to everybody. As you rightly said, there is stigma. People don’t disclose • James Killian, Professor of Economics, any issue with their mental health - such sharing Massachusetts Institute of Technology would help others. On the other hand, nobody is hesitant to say: ‘Oh look, I have diabetes’.

It’s often said: when you walk around and see a sad face, don’t pass by. Just stop and talk to them. Socially connecting with people, talking to them is very essential. When we do this, we will be able to open up many hearts and minds. Social Security is not only what the government gives but also the security that society gives each one.” - Gurudev

Discussions with world leaders • Bishop Dr. Marcelo Sánchez Sorondo, Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences & the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences

• Dr. Katarina Barley, Vice President, European Parliament

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Uncovering gems of wisdom help overcome depression.” - Swami Ramdev with spiritual leaders Inspiring masses to lead lives with happiness, “The principle underlying India is Vasudhaiva peace, and the philosophy of a one world family. Kutumbakam, the world is a family. It is the mantra of love - that no one is the other. Everything here is full of God. We all are a part of that one light. In our consciousness, there is love and the skill to embrace everyone. Spreading fear in the name of religion is not right. These days people speaking about peace are fewer in number while others who want to create fear are rising in number. The ones who want to bring peace and harmony, and do

• Swami Ramdev, Yoga guru good work must raise their voice.” - Gurudev

• Maulana Sajjad Nomani, renowned Islamic scholar “The good things said in our country have not • Gaur Gopal Das, International Society been said anywhere mainly because of our spiritual for Krishna Consciousness heritage. But something has prevented us from taking their essence and transforming our hearts. The distorted version of religion is giving rise to inequality and injustice. Until the heart does not transform, changing laws won’t help.

There is no religion which is only of India and no religion which is a foreign one. Can the sun be called to be of one country alone? As Gurudev said, we must raise our voice for peace, but we must “What is your inspiration?” - Gaur Gopal Das also raise our voice against wrong and injustices.” - Maulana Sajjad Nomani, renowned Islamic scholar “If you have seen a nice movie, you share it with others. The nature of joy is to share. When you get Global environmentalists connected to that one thing, you automatically share • Erik Solheim, Former Executive Director it with others. I tell people to have clarity in mind, of the UN Environment Program purity in heart, and sincerity in actions.” - Gurudev • Rebecca Le Moine, MP and Environmentalist, Sweden “Doubts on ourselves and others lead to depression. • Nicolas Hulot, Former Ministry of Ecology, Physical exercise, pranayam, meditation can

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Journalist, Writer, Environmentalist, France Nicolas Hulot: Freedom means different • Johan Rockstrom, Professor & things to different people but very often it is Environmentalist, Sweden misunderstood. The source of freedom is not the • Dr. Vandana Shiva, Environmentalist absence of rules but the rules you fix for yourself.

• Jan Eliasson, Former Deputy Secretary- Vandana Shiva: General, United Nations, Sweden What is your opinion Gurudev addressed environmental thought leaders on the sentience of at the World Forum for Ethics in Business. nature and plants?

Gurudev: We are made to think that everything is inert and gross. Life is not given importance. But when you see from a child’s point of view, even the sun is a living being. Cultures around the world have assigned genders to stars and planets. Water can store memory. The Erik Solheim: The worst that COVID-19 has fact is that everything in the universe has life. brought is the quarrelling between nations, and the best is the outburst of humanity. Businesses are changing, many are promising to go carbon negative. We need to be much greener after the pandemic.

Gurudev: Mankind has been living in harmony with nature for millennials. It is possible to live with nature. What breaks the harmony is greed. Human greed is destroying the planet.

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Highlights of events between January-March

Addressed thought leaders at diverse events including

• 2nd Corporate Wellness Conference organized by the Confederation of • International Conclave on Globalising Indian Industry (CII) in Mysuru Indian Thought at Kozhikode, Kerala

• International Yoga Festival, Rishikesh

• Business conclave 2020 at Sri Ram College of Commerce • International Women’s Conference, Bengaluru

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Meditations & dialogue for peace

“We have to give supplies in a distressed area: materials, food, clothing, and other amenities, but that alone will not suffice. We need to give them inner strength and confidence that human values are still alive and people are with them. The assurance in their inner power has to be given and that is what exactly IAHV and Art of Living are bringing to people around the globe.” - Gurudev, at Meditation for peace in the Middle-East

*Appealed for peace in the wake of Delhi riots, visited riot-hit localities

*Conducted an online meditation for peace in the Middle-East, attended by millions & held an interaction to find peace in the Middle-East.

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Rural Karnataka tour

Temple of knowledge inauguration at Kalaburagi, Karnataka

Evening of music and meditation at Shahpur, Karnataka Inauguration of a open air meditation center at Maniknagar, near Humnabad, Karnataka

Evening of music and meditation at Kalaburagi, Karnataka

Gurudev’s tour spanned from Kateel, Kalaburagi, Basavakalyan, Maniknagar, Raichur, and Shahpur where he inspired businessmen, students, farmers, and the general masses.

Chief Guest at the Brahma Kalashotsav at Sri Durga Parameshwari Temple which happens once in 12 years in Kateelu, near Mangalore, Karnataka

Chief guest for an event at Muchalamba near Basavakalyan at Kalaburagi, Karnataka

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37 YEARS OF SERVICE

Art of Living Foundation and IAHV 37 years of Service & Celebration • Presence in 156 countries • Have touched the lives of 450 million people • Run humanitarian projects in every sphere of life • Unite across religion, race, creed • Run 3000 centers across the world • Over 100 million man hours in developing the full human potential • Over 165,000 Stress Relief Workshops benefiting more than5.6 million people • Over 1300 militants encouraged to join mainstream since 2003 • One of the largest volunteer-based networks in the world • Reached 70,000 villages & developed 55 model villages in India • Reviving 42 rivers and their tributaries across 4 states in India • Run 702 free schools teaching over 70,000 children in rural areas across India

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The Office of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

INDIA 21st km Kanakapura Road, P.O Udaypura, Bangalore 560082 Tel: +91 99866 22022, +91 93425 22022 Email: [email protected] • USA 2401 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 Tel: +1 202 492 5522 Email: [email protected] • EUROPE Bad Antogast, Oppenau Germany D77728 Tel: +49 1602 812 2048 Email: [email protected] • CANADA 525 Bonsecours, #101, Montréal, QC H2Y 3C6 Phone: +1 514 836 0809 Email: [email protected]

artofliving.org iahv.org

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